ADHD

Meet your ADHD experts

Albert Hernandez,
PMHNP-BC

When you first meet Albert, you'll immediately notice how approachable he is and how much he genuinely wants to help people find relief and feel hopeful again. What you may not know is that his own experience with a mental health tragedy has shaped who he has become as a practitioner and as a person.

Albert Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Tanya Hernandez,
PMHNP-BC

Tanya is a third-generation mental health expert. Helping others heal isn't just her passion – it's in her blood. As a busy medical provider and full-time mom, she empathizes with those struggling to balance their kids, jobs, and families.

Tanya Hernandez, PMHNP-BC

Facts about adult adhd

and How Medicine Can Help

Adult ADHD is a mental health condition that affects your ability to focus, hold still, and control your behavior. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, but symptoms can persist into adulthood. And in some cases, symptoms don’t manifest until adulthood.

Almost 5% of adults have ADHD, but in reality, this number may be much higher. Many cases go unreported either because signs and symptoms are ignored, or people aren’t comfortable seeking treatment.

A large number of children have ADHD, so chances are they still have it as adults. However, some kids may learn to cope with their symptoms while they’re young, meaning they can better manage them as they grow up.

Other times, when we assess adult patients for ADHD, we often discover they’ve had behavior matching the condition’s description when they were children. But many times, it doesn’t become problematic until they face the challenges that come with being an adult.

Symptoms of ADHD


In adults, ADHD can show up as impulsive behavior, lack of concentration, or taking risks that aren’t in your best interest.

Adults with ADHD often describe symptoms like:

  • Being easily distracted
  • Lack of focus
  • Being disorganized
  • Misplacing things
  • Restlessness
  • Always running late
  • Interrupting others
  • Procrastinating on important tasks


These problems can be severe and lead to issues damaging your family life, work, and relationships.

Get The Help You Need

Get Started Now

ADHD & Insomnia
A patient with ADHD is unable to sleep and is thinking about money, school, and medication.

I Can’t Catch Any Zzzzs: My ADHD Doesn’t Let Me Sleep

ADHD Medication and Food
An ADHD medication is frowning while holding a taco in their kitchen.

Are There Any Food or Drinks That Can Affect My ADHD Medication?

Causes and Diagnosis of ADHD

The cause of ADHD is unknown, but there’s evidence that ADHD runs in families. Individual circumstances such as unstable family life or lack of resources may also impact this condition’s development. However, watching too much TV or eating too much sugar have not been shown to cause symptoms of ADHD.

There’s no specific test for diagnosing ADHD. You need to speak with a qualified mental health professional to get a detailed assessment of your physical and mental health history.

When seeking an evaluation, we recommend talking to an expert mental health provider to ensure you’re getting the correct diagnosis. We’re trained to thoroughly analyze your medical history, which may make all the difference in getting you started with the right treatment.

There’s nothing worse than being misdiagnosed and getting discouraged that nothing is working, so choose your provider carefully.

ADHD HAS NO CURE,
but we can successfully treat it with medication.

To experience the best possible results, you must work with an experienced medical practitioner skilled in choosing the right medication for your needs.
The
Upper Valley Behavioral Health
Process:

Fill-out online registration

Fill-out online registration

Free video consultation with an expert

Free video consultation with an expert

Take vital signs

Take vital signs

Have Comprehensive Evaluation

Have Comprehensive Evaluation

Receive Rx To Local Pharmacy

Receive Rx To Local Pharmacy

Monthly evaluation of progress

Monthly evaluation of progress

Get The Help You Need

Get Started Now

DO I HAVE ADHD?
DO I HAVE ADHD?

Question Marks

Take Our FREE 2-MINUTE Assesment to determine if you Have ADHD or not.


Have you Been Diagnosed
with ADHD?

a

1. How often do you have trouble wrapping up the final details of a project, once the challenging parts have been done?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

2. How often do you have difficulty getting things in order when you have to do a task that requires organization?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

3. How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

4. When you have a task that requires a lot of thought, how often do you avoid or delay getting started?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

5. How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

6. How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

7. How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

8. How often do you have difficulty keeping your attention when you are doing boring or repetitive work?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

9. How often do you have difficulty concentrating on what people say to you, even when they are speaking to you directly?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

10. How often do you misplace or have difficulty finding things at home or at work?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

11. How often are you distracted by activity or noise around you?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

12. How often do you leave your seat in meetings or other situations in which you are expected to remain seated?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

13. How often do you feel restless or fidgety?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

14. How often do you have difficulty unwinding and relaxing when you have time to yourself?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

15. How often do you find yourself talking too much when you are in social situations?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

16. When you’re in a conversation, how often do you find yourself finishing the sentences of the people you are talking to, before they can finish them themselves?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

17. How often do you have difficulty waiting your turn in situations when turn taking is required?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

18. How often do you interrupt others when they are busy?

Please select the option that best describes you.

a

19. Where would you like us to send your results?

GREAT JOB! YOUR TEST IS NOW COMPLETE.

Your results have been e-mailed to you. Please don't forget to check your spam folder.

Why Choose Upper Valley Behavioral Health

No two cases of adult ADHD are the same, and there is no cookie-cutter treatment for it. Your history and symptoms play a crucial role in determining the best treatment for you. Medication helps many people get their symptoms under control so they can manage work, family, and relationships better. Learning how to change your behavior and talk therapy with a licensed professional may also be useful tools.

Be sure to choose a board-certified mental health expert for your ADHD assessment and treatment.

Others
Full-Time Experts
Most have part-time providers looking for extra money.
Live Telephone Support
Most online providers make you message them once you become a patient.
Custom Treatment Plans
Most online providers have cookie-cutter RX lists.
Accepts Health Insurance
Most online providers only accept cash.
No Wait Times
Most online providers force you to wait in their virtual room.
Free Medication Delivery
Most online providers can only send your RX to your local pharmacy
BBB A+ Accreditation
Most online providers have poor reviews and are not accredited by the BBB.
Vital Sign Interpretation
Most online providers will prescribe you medication without assessing your vital signs.
ADHD Certified Experts
Most online providers have little to no experience in psychiatry.

ADHDCase Studies

How ADHD Medication Works

ADHD medication works by improving the way messages are transmitted through your brain and nervous system. These messages use chemicals called neurotransmitters to pass information along chains of nerve cells called neurons.

There are a few ways these messages get mixed up, causing symptoms in people with ADHD.

  • Problems can occur when neurons don’t release enough neurotransmitter chemicals to help the message move along.
  • The chemicals released by the neurons may have trouble attaching to the next neuron down the transmission chain.
  • And sometimes, the neuron releases its neurotransmitter but decides to reabsorb some of it. Then, the amount of neurotransmitter left over isn’t enough to deliver the complete message to the next neuron in the chain.

When messages aren’t being passed down the neuron chain correctly, your attention span can suffer.

ADHD medication helps keep messages running smoothly from neuron to neuron. If you have ADHD, you may need a prescription to help your neurons release more neurotransmitters. Or, you may need a different drug that slows down the reabsorption of neurons, making sure the chemical message arrives in one piece to the next cell in the neuron chain.

Getting the Right ADHD Medication

Depending on the type of ADHD medication you need, you can experience results in as little as an hour or up to one week.

This is pretty fast compared to how long it takes other psychiatric medicines to work. And don’t worry – your personality won’t change when you start medication for your ADHD. You can expect an increased ability to focus, and better control over your behavior.

Always be sure you’re getting FDA-approved medications. You want to get the medicine that’s ideal for you. You don’t want to unknowingly accept a prescription or supplement that isn’t the very best choice because that’s all your provider can prescribe.

Medication for ADHD works well for most people. Your provider should continue to monitor you to see if your dose needs to be adjusted. Any prescription medication may have side effects. When receiving care from a licensed professional, you’ll learn about all the possible side effects you may experience while taking your new medication. They’ll also counsel you on the best ways to manage any unpleasant side effects so ultimately you feel the most relief possible.

ADHD drugs must be taken consistently to continue working. If you decide to stop taking your medicine, your symptoms will come back. Make sure you talk to your prescribing provider if you’re thinking about doing this.

The most common FDA-approved medications our experts prescribe for Adult ADHD at Upper Valley Behavioral Health include:

  • Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
  • Concerta ER (methylphenidate HCl ER)
  • Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride)
  • Strattera (atomoxetine)
  • Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)

Faqs

?
I would like to schedule an evaluation for ADHD; what are the steps?
A

The first step is to fill out an online appointment request here. Once we receive your registration, we will contact you within 24 business hours to start the process.

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Are you currently accepting new patients?
A

We are currently accepting new patients. Most potential patients are able to be scheduled within 48 business hours or less to be seen. Some clients may experience delays due to health insurance plans. Also, some clients may experience delays due to their medical history.

?
How much does it cost to get tested for ADHD?
A

Once a potential patient submits their registration information, our billing department will contact their health insurance plan to obtain costs for treatment. Every plan is different. Copays may range from $5 to $150 per visit. We are currently not accepting any self-pay patients at this time.

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Do you provide ADHD coaching or therapy?
A

While psychotherapy might benefit some patients, our board-certified experts prescribe medications to help people overcome the challenges of Adult ADHD. We do not provide psychotherapy services or coaching services at this time.

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Do you accept insurance?
A

Yes, we do! To see a list of accepted insurance plans in your state, please click here.

?
What if I do not have health insurance?
A

Unfortunately, we are not currently accepting any self-pay patients at this time. We recommend you contact your county medical society for recommendations on organizations that do not require health insurance to be seen.

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What ages do you treat?
A

Our experts treat adults ages 20 to 64.

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Do you treat children or adolescents?
A

Unfortunately, we do not treat children or adolescents at this time. The youngest age we treat is 20.

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Which states do you provide services in?
A

We are currently providing services in the entire State of New Mexico. Regarding Texas, we only accept patients that live in El Paso County. If you do not live in these areas, we are unable to provide services to you.

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How do you treat ADD or ADHD?
A

Our experts will utilize standardized screenings and take into account your history and current symptoms. Qualified candidates may be treated with any FDA-approved medications for ADD or ADHD. Typically, our experts utilize Vyvanse, Adderall, Concerta, Focalin, Strattera, or Guanfacine to relieve symptoms of ADD or ADHD.

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I have been diagnosed with ADHD in the past. Do I need to provide my previous records?
A

In most cases, we do not need previous records. Special circumstances exist that require the retrieval of previous records. Our experts will utilize evidence-based screenings during your evaluation. They will also record your history and review current symptoms that are affecting your life.

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Will I receive a prescription on my first visit?
A

Our experts typically render an accurate diagnosis on the first visit. In most cases, we are able to provide a prescription on the first visit. There are some cases that require another appointment due to requirements for laboratory work, reassessing vitals, or records from other healthcare providers. Some cases might also require medical clearance before any treatment can be administered.

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Do you perform one-time evaluations?
A

Unfortunately, we do not perform one-time evaluations for school accommodations, workplace accommodations, or your primary care provider. We also do not perform evaluations for disability.

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